The Opera North Youth Orchestra (ONYO) serves to help dedicated young musicians transition from further or higher education into the professional world of music.

Drawing inspiration from the orchestral and opera work of Opera North, the Youth Orchestra prepares and performs two programmes of challenging repertoire each academic year. Rehearsing in the Orchestra of Opera North rehearsal studios, ONYO provides opportunities to learn the musical and non-musical intricacies of working within a high-level orchestra whilst gaining further experience with orchestral and operatic repertoire.

Project 1 is open to players playing at Grade 7+, aged 15-21:
Sunday 11 October 2026
Saturday 24 October
Sunday 25 October
Wednesday 28 October
Thursday 29 October
Friday 30 October
Sunday 1 November – Concert

Project 2 is open to players Grade 8+ and 16-21:
Sunday 24 January 2027
Sunday 7 February
Sunday 21 February
Sunday 7 March
Saturday 20 March
Sunday 21 March – Concert